724.3415/3492: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Minister in Bolivia (Des Portes)
2. Your 6, January 15, 5 p.m. Largely as the result of misleading and unfounded press reports, the impression has been created that this Government is actively participating in the negotiations at Buenos Aires involving the Chaco dispute.
Because of our earnest hope that the progress made during the Montevideo Conference might not be abandoned and the favorable atmosphere resulting from the armistice be lost, the American Ambassador at Buenos Aires was instructed to discuss the matter with the President of Argentina and in the course of his conversation express the hope that Argentine influence in Paraguay might be exerted should the Argentine Government deem it advisable and possible for it to do so, for a continuation of the armistice.18
This Government has had no other intervention in the negotiations which have been in progress in Buenos Aires and the participation by Brazil in these conversations which is desired by the Bolivian Government would seem to be a matter with regard to which this Government would not feel warranted in making any suggestion at this juncture.
The Bolivian Minister was yesterday informed by the Department of the precise nature of the conversation between President Justo and the American Ambassador in Buenos Aires in order that whatever misunderstanding might have existed on the part of his Government may be corrected.